Drug Take Back slated for this weekend

COLFAX —Substance Use Prevention Education and Resources (SUPER) is partnering with Whitman County Health and the Colfax Police Department for another Drug Take Back Day this weekend on Saturday, Oct. 28, from noon to 5 p.m. on the Colfax Library’s Front Patio, 102 South Main Street.

Colfax SUPER Community coordinator Sara Golden said they will collect expired and unneeded medications and sharps for safe disposal.

Golden is hoping for a big turnout this year. “April, we took in 34.8 pounds,” she added that the number was up from October at 33.7 pounds. The first drug take back took in 12.6 pounds.

Golden said they do an event every six months, and the number has increased each time.

Golden said free lock boxes and lock bags will be available for those who bring expired medications.

“We have small boxes, large boxes, and lock bags,” Golden said, adding that the bags are great for people in the house with grandchildren who visit and travel a lot.

“We’ve had people that take (marijuana) edibles, and they lock them up so their children don’t get them,” Golden said, adding that children who have eaten edibles can have harmful effects due to consuming them.

Golden said the medications are safely disposed of and incinerated after the event. She added that anyone can black out their name on prescriptions, and they’ll be disposed of.

People have brought in expired medications, changes in dose, and pet medications that are no longer being used.

Golden said vape cartridges and have sharp containers for Epi-pens and insulin needles containers to be disposed of.

“We will also have toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss on hand and Halloween candy for anyone who comes by in costume to say hi,” Golden said.

Colfax SUPER is currently holding a community survey until Nov. 15. and is looking for many different community thoughts on substance use in Colfax, Golden said.

The survey can be found at Surveymonkey.com\r\whcoen2023. Those interested in learning more can visit the SUPER Facebook page at facebook.com\supercolfax or contact Sara Golden at sgolden@esd101.net.

Golden said anyone who would like a paper survey emailed to them can request a paper copy.